Denture storage box for home use



May 1 1964 A. REVAN-ROSENSTOCK DENTURE STORAGE BOX FOR HOME USE Filed Jan. 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ALFRED REVAN'ROSENSTOCK 1964 A. REVAN-ROSENSTOCK 3,133,305

DENTURE STORAGE BOX FOR HOME usE:

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1963 ALFRED REVAN ROSENSTOCK 3,133,305 DENTURE STORAGE BOX FOR HOME USE Alfred Revan-Rosensto'cir, 77-44 Austin t., Forest Hills 75, N.Y. Filed Jan. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 253,793 2 Claims. (Ql. 15-511) This invention relates generally to denture containers and cleaners and more particularly to an improved denture container and cleaner suitable for use in the home.

Artificial dentures are in very wide usage and are usually removed from the wearers mouth before retiring and immersed in water or in a sterilizing fluid during the night so as to maintain the denture in a sanitary condition.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a container that is adapted to receive and hold an artificial denture immersed in water or a cleaning fluid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closed container that is adapted to hold an artificial denture immersed in water or a cleaning fluid in position to be subjected to a shaking movement to bring the fluid into contact with all parts of the denture.

Still another object, according to an embodiment thereof, is to provide a compartmented container for receiving and holding so-called upper and lower dentures in spaced relationship.

Yet another object, according to another modification of the invention, is to provide a hollow cylindrical sanitary holder and cleaner with a removable disk carrying bristles for cleaning the dentures.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an artificial denture holder and cleaner that is sanitary, simple in construction, pleasing in appearance and that can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sanitary denture holder and cleaner of a shape such as to permit the device to be conveniently grasped in the hand and shaken to cause the cleaning solution therein to pass back and forth over the denture, thus insuring that the solution will reach every part of the denture and producing an agitating action which dislodges dirt softened by the solvent action of the solution.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure: ,7 I

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anartificial denture holder and cleaner embodying one form of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a'vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a spread perspective view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a modified form of the invention.

FIG, 6 is a top perspective view of the bristle supporting disk of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view through the center of a modified form of inner cylindrical body.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of bristle unit adapted to be used with the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 an artificial denture holder and cleaner embodying one form United States Patent 0 of my invention is illustrated and designated generally 4 at 10. The holder and cleaner 10 comprises a hollow cylindrical body 12 formed of suitable plastic material, such as synthetic resin, which may be of any desired color. The body includes a bottom wall 14, an upstand- 3,l33,35 Patented May 19, 1964 ing circular side wall 16 and is open at the top, the top having a flat straight edge 18.

In accordance with the invention, another hollow cylindrical body 20 of similar material and of smaller dimensions than the body 12 is positioned inside of body 12 in spaced relation to the bottom wall and to the side Wall of the outer body. The inner body 20 has a bottom wall 22 and upstanding circular side wall 24. The top edge of the side wall 24 is formed with an annular peripheral flange 26 therearound and formed integrally with the flange there is a disk-shaped lid or cover 28 formed with a raised curved center portion 30. The periphery of the lid or cover 28 extends outwardly of the flange 26 of the side wall thereby providing a shouldered seat 32 for removably supporting the inner body 20 on the top edge 18 of side wall 16 of the outer body 12.

The side wall 24 of the inner body 24) is cut away from top to bottom thereof as indicated at 34, the side edges 36 of the cut away portion being curved whereby the cut away portion is deeper at its center than at the top or bottom. A plurality of spaced holes 38' are also formed in the side wall 24 midway its top and bottom in spaced relation therearound. A plurality of spaced holes 40 in annular formation are also formed in the bottom wall 22 of the inner body 24 adjacent the periphery of the bottom wall, and a central hole 42 is also formed in the bottom Wall.

A pair of opposed pins 44 (only one being shown) may be radially mounted on the flange 26 of the side wall 24 to coact with opposed bayonet slots 46 formed in the top edge of the side wall 16 of the inner body 12 in order to guide the cover 28 to proper position for removably fastening the inner body 20 in the outer body 12. Arrows 48 and 50 may be provided on the side wall 16 of the outer body 12 and on the periphery of the flange or shoulder 32 to indicate the closed sealed position of the lid or cover 23. An arrow 52 may also be provided to indicate the direction of movement for positioning the inner body 20 for removal thereof and for opening of the outer body 12. The words closed and open may also be printed on the outer wall 16 and cover 28 adjacent the arrows 48 and 52, respectively.

In use, while the inner body 20 is removed from the outer body 12, adenture or dentures are placed in the body by inserting the same through the cut-out portion 34 in the side wall 24 thereof, the curved edges of the cut-out portion facilitating such insertion. The denture or dentures are supported on the bottom wall 22. A supply of water which may contain an antiseptic or cleaning fluid is placed in the outer body 12'and the inner body 20 with the denture or dentures therein is lowered into the water or fluid in the outer body and axially rotated, the peripheral flange 32' serving as a handle for this purpose, the pins 44 and slots 46 guiding the inner body 20 and lid or cover 23 to proper closing and fastening positions, thereby preventing vertical movement.

When the parts are in fastened sealed position, the fluid in the body 12 will pass through the cut-out portion 34 and through the openings 38 and 40 in the inner body 20 and immerse the denture or dentures therein in the water or fluid. By merely grasping the outer body 12 with the hands, the user can shake the body thoroughly thereby agitating the fluid inside and force the fluid against the supported denture or dentures in the inner body 12, thereby removing any foreign matter loosened by the cleaning solution. The inner body 20 with dentures therein may be readily lifted out of the outer body 12, the water or fluid draining out through the cut-out portion 34- and holes 38. The holes 38 serve to ventilate the in terior of the inner body when the fluid is removed.

In the modified form of artificial denture holder and cleaner 10' shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a false bottom in the M form of a plastic disk 50 is loosely mounted on the bottom wall 14 of the outer body 12. A plurality of bristle units 52' is supported in upright fashion on the top surface of the disk, the bristle units being arranged in annular formation adjacent the periphery of the disk and with a single unit 54 in the center thereof. Each bristle unit includes an elongated twisted wire 56 fastening radial ,members 58, one end of the wire being embedded in the material of the disk.

In this form of the invention, the bottom wall 22' of the inner body 20 is slipped over the disk 50, the bristle units 52 and 54 passing through the openings 40' and 42' in the bottom wall 22' and protruding uprightly above the bottom wall 22'. The upright bristle units are adapted to engage and rub against a denture or dentures supported on the bottom wall 22 inside the body 26, thereby mechanically removing any foreign matter on the denture or dentures.

In all other respects, the holder and cleaner 10 of FIGS. 5 and 6 is similar to the holder and cleaner 10 of FIG. 1 and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified form of inner body 20 adapted to be used with the outer body 12 of FIG. 1 or the outer body 12' of FIG. 5. The inner body 20" differs from the inner body 20 of FIG. 1 merely in that a horizontal partition wall 60 is formed on the side wall 24". The diameter of the partition wall is equal to the diameter of the bottom wall 22" so that the periphery thereof extends out through the cutout portion 34" of the side wall. Spaced holes 62 are formed in the partition wall to permit the water or fluid to ooze therethrough. The partition wall, side wall and bottom wall define an upper compartment 64 and a lower compartment 66 in the inner body 20". Holes 38" are provided in both compartments. A denture may be supported on the bottom wall 22" in the lower compartment 66 and a denture may also be supported on the partition wall t) in the upper compartment 64.

In all other respects, the inner body 20" of FIG. 7 is similar to the inner body 20 of FIG. 1 and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.

In FIG. 8 there is illustrated a modified form of bristle unit 52 comprising a cylindrical base 68, twisted wire 56 and radial members 58 The bristle unit 52 may be used to mechanically clean the denture, using the base 68 as a handle.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. A combined denture holder and cleaner comprising an outer hollow cylindrical body for holding fluid, said body having a bottom wall and an upstanding circular side wall, said body open at the top, said side wall having opposed bayonet slots in the top edge thereof, an inner hollow cylindrical body nested in the outer body for holding a denture, said inner body having a bottom wall, an upstanding circular side Wall and a disk-shaped cover integral with the top of the side wall, said bottom and side walls of the inner body being smaller than the bottom and side walls of the outer body proving a clearance therearound, said cover seated on the top edge of the open top of the outer body, said inner body having a cut-out portion in the side wall thereof for entrance of a denture thereinto and for entrance of fluid inside the body, the cut-out portion having curved side edge walls to facilitate entrance of a denture therethrough, and having spaced holes for ventilating the interior thereof, the peripheral edge of the cover extending beyond the side wall of the outer body to serve as a handle for manipulating the -inner body, opposed pins in the side wall of the inner body coacting with the edge walls of the bayonet slots to guide the inner body to position, a disk in the space between the bottom wall of' the outer body and the bottom wall of the inner body, and bristle means carried by the disk and protruding through the holes in the bottom wall of the inner body for mechanically cleaning a denture.

2. A combined denture holder and cleaner comprising an outer hollow cylindrical body for holding fluid, said body having a bottom wall and an upstanding circular side wall, said body open at the top, an inner hollow cylindrical body nested in the outer body for holding a denture, said inner body having a bottom wall, an upstanding circular side wall and a disk-shaped cover integral with the top of the side wall, said bottom and side walls of the inner body being smaller than the bottom and side walls of the outer body providing a clearance therearound, said cover seated on the top edge of the open top of the outer body, said inner body having a cut-out portion in the side wall thereof for entrance of a denture thereinto and for entrance of fiuid inside the inner body, and having spaced holes in the bottom and side walls thereof for Ventilating the interior of the inner body, a

disk in the space between the bottom wall of the outer body and the bottom wall of the inner body and a plurality of bristle units mounted in upright position on the disk and protruding through the holes in the bottom wall of the inner body and upwardly of the inner surface of the bottom wall of the inner body, said upwardly protruding portions of the bristle units adapted to contact a denture supported on the bottom wall of the inner body and mechanically cleanse the same, each bristle unit comprising an elongated twisted wire and radial members fastened by the twists of the wire.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,806,519 Cave May 19, 1931 1,812,626 Edison June 30, 1931 1,845,315 Meikle Feb. 16, 1932 2,163,862 Wing June 27, 1939 

1. A COMBINED DENTURE HOLDER AND CLEANER COMPRISING AN OUTER HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL BODY FOR HOLDING FLUID, SAID BODY HAVING A BOTTOM WALL AND AN UPSTANDING CIRCULAR SIDE WALL, SAID BODY OPEN AT THE TOP EDGE THEREOF, AN INNER OPPOSED BAYONET SLOTS IN THE TOP EDGE THEREOF, AN INNER HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL BODY NESTED IN THE OUTER BODY FOR HOLDING A DENTURE, SAID INNER BODY HAVING A BOTTOM WALL, AN UPSTANDING CIRCULAR SIDE WALL AND A DISK-SHAPED COVER INTEGRAL WITH THE TOP OF THE SIDE WALL, SAID BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS OF THE INNER BODY BEING SMALLER THAN THE BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS OF THE OUTER BODY PROVING A CLEARANCE THEREAROUND, SAID COVER SEATED ON THE TOP EDGE OF THE OPEN TOP OF THE OUTER BODY, SAID INNER BODY HAVING A CUT-OUT PORTION IN THE SIDE WALL THEREOF AND FOR ENTRANCE OF A DENTURE THEREINTO AND FOR ENTRANCE OF FLUID INSIDE THE BODY, THE CUT-OUT PORTION HAVING CURVED SIDE EDGE WALLS TO FACILITATE ENTRANCE OF A DENTURE THERETHROUGH, AND HAVING SPACED HOLES FOR VENTILATING THE INTERIOR THEREOF, THE PERIPHERAL EDGE OF THE COVER EXTENDING BEYOND THE SIDE WALL OF THE OUTER BODY TO SERVE AS A HANDLE FOR MANIPULATING THE INNER BODY, OPPOSED PINS IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE INNER BODY COACTING WITH THE EDGE WALLS OF THE BAYONET SLOTS TO GUIDE THE INNER BODY TO POSITION, A DISK IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE BOTTOM WALL OF THE OUTER BODY AND THE BOTTOM WALL OF THE INNER BODY, AND BRISTLE MEANS CARRIED BY THE DISK AND PROTRUDING THROUGH THE HOLES IN THE BOTTOM WALL OF THE INNER BODY FOR MECHANICALLY CLEANING A DENTURE. 